 "Sunil Chhetri is the biggest face of the Bengaluru FC football team. Image: Bengaluru FC on X")
In a major shock, one of the best-run football clubs in India, Bengaluru FC, have announced that they are suspending player salaries due to lack of clarity on the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season. The Bengaluru FC’s decision will directly impact Indian football team striker Sunil Chhetri, who is one of their main players.
The top-division football league in India – ISL is currently not a part of the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) 2025-26 calendar due to a lack of agreement between the national football body and the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) over a new Master Rights Agreement (MRA). The FSDL has been organising the ISL since 2014 under the MRA, which is set to expire in December 2025.
The AIFF and FSDL have failed to reach a conclusion on the terms of a new MRA, putting the upcoming ISL season on hold .
Chhetri’s salary stopped at Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru on Monday announced they are “indefinitely suspending the salaries” of players, including Chhetri, and that of the first-team coaches in view of the uncertainty surrounding the ISL.
“In view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League season, Bengaluru Football Club has taken what is a very difficult decision of indefinitely suspending the salaries of players and staff belonging to the First Team. Running and sustaining a football club in India has always been an uphill climb, one that we have put everything aside and made, season after season,” BFC said in a statement on X.
“However, the lack of clarity on the League’s future leaves us with no choice but to take this step. The future and well-being of our players, staff, and their families is of utmost importance to us, and we are in touch with them as we wait for a resolution,” BFC added.
The former ISL and I-League champions, however, announced that the youth team operations remain unaffected.
“The Club remains committed to growing and developing the sport and our operations with our youth teams – men and women – and BFC Soccer Schools remain unaffected by this decision. We urge the AIFF and FSDL to end this impasse swiftly. The uncertainty benefits no one, and a prompt resolution is vital for the future of Indian football,” BFC concluded.
Meanwhile, AIFF officials are scheduled to meet with CEOs from eight ISL clubs on Thursday to discuss the issues regarding the league. The meeting would include a Bengaluru FC representative.